Tunisia PM could resign today: spokesman

Tunis, Feb 19 (AFP) Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali will meet President Moncef Marzouki this evening and could submit his resignation, the premier's spokesman said after other sources said he would indeed do so. "He will meet the head of state and he could announce his resignation," Ridha Kazdaghli said. The meeting, to which the press has been convened, is scheduled for 2300 IST. Earlier, one member of the government said Jebali had met with the cabinet in the morning to say goodbye and to ask them to "continue to expedite current matters." "He did not use the word 'resignation', but it was well understood that he was going to see the president to announce it," said the source. But another member of the cabinet said "he clearly announced his departure." An Ennahda official confirmed that Jebali "is going to announce his resignation to honour his promise to leave" in the event that his efforts to form a government of technocrats failed. That bid collapsed yesterday in the face of opposition from his own party. However, the source added that there was nothing preventing Marzouki from charging Jebali with again trying to form a new coalition government. The three sources spoke on condition of anonymity. (AFP) SAI 02192352 NNNN